What you need to know about the Nalta Jute, "Mrenda"...

            At some point, you may have consumed a slimy green vegetable, especially with our staple ugali. For Botanists, this plant, the Nalta jute, is a shrub belonging to the Family Malvaceae and is universally known as Corchorus olitorius.

Photo: Nalta jute plant(Source: Wikipedia) 

History of Corchorus olitorius

     This plant originated in African Tropics and Sub-tropical regions, and some Asia countries. In these regions, communities consume the leaves as green vegetables or soup. For instance, in Nigeria, Ewedu soup is a delicacy among specific tribes. 

   In Kenya, the western region communities value this vegetable, especially the Luos and Luhya, who refer to it in the local dialects as " Apoth" and "Murere," respectively.

Is consumption of the Nalta jute healthy?

Photo: A meal of Nalta Jute Vegetable and Kenyan Ugali. (Source: Facebook) 

We may often not be concerned with the nutrient composition; the norm may be to eat to live or eat to satisfy our hunger. However, we must consider taking a variety of foods that form a balanced diet for healthy living.

 The Nalta jute is one of the vegetables that studies have proven to be mineral dense. These minerals are: 

•   Potassium plays a part in the transmission of nerve impulses in the body. Impulses are electrical signals that aid in communication between our brains and the external body.
• Copper, Manganese, Iron, and Folate. Iron forms part of the hemoglobin, which forms red blood cells. The latter ( Folate) is vital in the critical early stages of development of a child as it reduces the chances of developing neural tube defects. Yes, so I would advise pregnant and lactating mothers to incorporate this vegetable in their meals.

      It is also imperative to know that scientific studies have proven that extracts from the jute plant have gastroprotective properties. In regards to this, the vegetable and its soup can offer considerable protection to the gastric mucosa in patients with peptic ulcers, just like the omeprazole drugs.